Joined today after losing two chickens :-(

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cuilleree

cuilleree

In the Brooder
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
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Bay Area, Caifornia
Hi everyone. I finally joined BYC today after reading through the message boards looking for info about what to do with our one remaining hen. The other two were attacked and killed by a predator two days ago. This was our first flock, and my husband and I have been shocked at how much we love each of our girls--it's amazing how distinct each of their personalities is! We got them at ten days old in March of 2017.

Thanks to what I learned on the forums, I think we will be raising new chicks and carefully introducing our older hen to them once they are big enough. Any advice in this area is welcome.

Rest in peace, Runty and Debbie!
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So sorry for your loss- I know how it feels to lose a pet chicken- something came at night and killed over twelve of my poor little chickies about a year ago.
As for the lone hen, are you planning on getting more birds? Chickens like company so you might want to get some more. Make sure they're buff orpingtons as other breeds will be aggressive to the hen.
 
:welcome

Sorry for your losses, that's never easy. When you get your new birds, you can try the "look but can't touch" method for integration (worked well for me). Simply put that's where the 2 groups of birds can see each other, but not hurt one another. I separated my 2 groups with chicken wire within the coop and run. After 2-3 weeks, I was able to let them mix with minimal fighting. Having extra feeders and waterers helps too.

Best of luck to you, it's nice to have you here!
 
Hiya :frow
Nice to meet you!
So sorry for your losses.
I had a lone chicken too. It was hard for her last winter. Alone and naked. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a lot of time with her. This last spring got her new flock mates. It been eight months now. She has a new best buddy and is happier than ever. Keep your survivor warm and dry ... since she doesn’t have others to snuggle with. I would snuggle mine and tell her stories of her new friends to come. Best wishes
 
nchls school said:
Welcome to BYC. When introducing new chickens/chicks provide as much space as possible. The older hen will pick on them and the new birds need to be able to get away.
It's amazing how attached a person can get. Mine are pets. Sorry for your loss.

New pets:celebrateView attachment 1627386
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Thanks. I see yours are inside--is that a regular thing? How do you avoid messes? We'd like to have ours inside more, but the pooping is a problem...
 
MissChick@dee said:
Hiya :frow
Nice to meet you!
So sorry for your losses.
I had a lone chicken too. It was hard for her last winter. Alone and naked. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a lot of time with her. This last spring got her new flock mates. It been eight months now. She has a new best buddy and is happier than ever. Keep your survivor warm and dry ... since she doesn’t have others to snuggle with. I would snuggle mine and tell her stories of her new friends to come. Best wishes
Click to expand...

We love snuggling our chickens, but the lone remainder is named Screamy for a reason--she doesn't like to be touched. I'm wondering if that will change a bit now that she's alone. I'm looking forward to getting two new chickens for her to "show the ropes" to.
 

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